Medan sends in the troops to quell workers' riot

MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): The local military authorities in the city deployed troops yesterday to quell a massive workers' demonstration that nearly turned into a full scale riot.

Witnesses said some 150 shops, mostly owned by businessmen of Chinese descent, were ransacked and looted and 12 cars were set ablaze on the second day of the demonstration by more than 10,000 workers from 24 factories in and around the city.

It was not immediately clear whether there were any casualties, but witnesses reported that some of the shop-owners were beaten and that a number of demonstrators were also involved in clashes with troopers.

"We will not tolerate any acts of violence," Maj. Gen. A. Pranowo, the chief of the Bukit Barisan Military Command, told a hastily-called press conference at his office to justify the military's move.

"Their actions were already bordering on SARA," Maj. Gen. Pranowo said, referring to the Indonesian acronym for the four aspects that are most prone to national security and stability: sectarianism, racialism, tribalism and religious differences.

He also said that the violence had crippled the economy of the city and this could not be allowed to go on.

By late afternoon, some semblance of normalcy had returned to the city, but most shops, including those in luxury shopping centers, remained locked with their shutters down.

"The situation remains tense," said a Medan resident.

Yesterday marked the second day of the workers' demonstrations. They were demanding an official inquiry into the unexplained death of one of their colleagues last month.

The workers also demanded improvement in their wages, an end to military intervention in labor disputes, and official recognition of the Indonesian Prosperity Trade Union (SBSI), an independent union which has been challenging the government's policy of only allowing one trade union, the All Indonesian Workers Union (SPSI).

In Jakarta, the SBSI denounced the Medan violence and stressed that the certain parties were taking advantage of the situation to stir trouble and prevent workers from gaining their rights.

In a statement, the SBSI said the authorities should take steps to improve the labor conditions in the country and bring to an end the recent workers' strikes and unrest.

Yesterday's protest was a continuation of the first one on Thursday when some 20,000 workers marched to the Governor's office in central Medan to convey their message.

Yesterday their action was confined to the industrial zone in the southern part of the city, but the ripples were felt in the whole town as shops were immediately closed after the first news that a riot had erupted.

Four arrested

Police said they have arrested four people, including a local SBSI executive, whom they believe were the perpetrators of the violence.

The four were identified as Junaidi Adinda Karya, and Khairil Anwar, both workers of PT Industry Karet Deli company, and Irawadi, a worker of PT Growth Asia. The SBSI executive was identified as Ridwan Lubis.

Unconfirmed reports however said that some 40 people have been arrested by late yesterday.

Maj. Gen. Pranowo promised a full inquiry into the incident. He also said that he would bring the perpetrators to the court to account for their actions.

Some of the companies may also be liable for action.

Head of the North Sumatra Manpower Office Khairun said that his office would investigate the alleged violations of labor rights by companies in Medan which, according to the workers, prompted them to launch the demonstration in the first place.

According to the military version, the protest first turned violent on Thursday when two people of Chinese heritage were attacked and injured by the demonstrators.

The violence spread later as the protesters turned their anger at passing cars and motorbikes and also at several houses.

The carnage continued on Friday morning before the military sent in the troops to quell the demonstrators. (rmn/par)